Re: Superman's STD

Posted by shy_guy on February 01, 2001 at 22:54:11:

In Reply to: Superman's STD posted by DrDick on February 01, 2001 at 19:33:59:

You overlook the public health surveillance importance of obtaining cultures which is becoming something of an imperative given current patterns of antibiotic resistance among N. gonorrheae isolates. For example, a recent study in Hawaii showed 14% if isolates resistant to flouroquinolones. There have been a smattering of cases of similar resistance turning up in southern california over the last couple of years, although the last such case identified in San Diego county was March of 2000. More recently this past summer there were I believe three cases of quinolone resistant strains in Orange county, at least two of which were linked to activity in Mexico. These cases, along with the endemic rate of resistance in Hawaii, has STD control branch of the state of California department of health services rather frantic, as they are concerned about increasing importation and subsequent propagation of resistant strains. Until recently, it was thought these strains were only found in Asia and the Pacific Rim. Cephalosporin resistance has been a rarer event in this part of the world but still threatens to be significant in Asia. A very recent study in China revealed 13% of isolates resistant to ceftriaxone. Finally, a little bird told me that a patient in San Diego County was cultured positive for a strain of gonorrhea that just today was reported from the public health laboratory as being resistant to ofloxacin AND ceftriaxone. This is almost unheard of in this region but is quite frightening in its possible significance. The patient is being recalled due to inadequate treatment. Maybe a dose of spectinomycin will do the trick. My point: This very important information would not be available if this patient had not been cultured. The DNA amplification techniques employed on urine samples makes for a very high sensitivity and specificity but does not allow for strain typing or antibiotic sensitivity testing. I applaud Superman's doctor for obtaining the culture which potentially provides far more valuable information than simply confirming a positive case. Perhaps he was only trying to teach him a lesson. Perhaps he had farther reaching motives that served not only the needs of his patient but the needs of his community as well. I don't believe that the Q-tip up the penis is old news. Shy Guy

Follow Ups:

A correction shy_guy 20:25:45 02/02/01 (1) Re: A correction frozin1 16:07:44 02/03/01 (0) Thanks for the update DrDick 06:31:09 02/02/01 (0)

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